The last few months have seen a whirlwind of changes to the Wizards roster. But the one area that survived relatively in tact: The back four.
Of course, the second biggest problem last year (aside from an inept strike force) was the defense. Six goals to Dallas. This fiasco. The meltdown in the final minutes of a 1-0 loss to San Jose.
So, why am I predicting the backline will be a source of strength this year?
It's likely that the names and numbers on the back of the player's jerseys won't be enough to keep you from saying, at least twice, "Wait, who is that again?"
So, in an attempt to clear up any confusion and formally introduce the newest Wizards, here is The Full 90's first-annual "Meet the Wizards" position-by-position preseason breakdown. We've already taken a closer look at the goalkeepers, now we'll look at the most settled area of the squad, the back four.

You won't be seeing...

Lance Watson
Rauwshan McKenzie
Matt Marquess
Watson and McKenzie were waived, Marquess retired. Watson will probably be missed the most of this bunch, as his heart and determination were traits that are hard to learn. But, unfortunately for them, the team wanted to bring in players with more skill. (The official wife of the blog is very sad. Lance was her favorite player.)

You will be seeing...

(* = projected starter)Michael Harrington(*)
· Number: 2
· Born: Jan. 24, 1986
· Hometown: Greenville, NC
· Last Club: None
· Acquired: 1st round pick in 2007 MLS SuperDraft (#3 overall)
· Experience: 4th MLS season
Harrington was one of the most intriguing players last year. He's an incredibly flexible player (can play both sides of the field in defense or midfield) with a lot of pace and a good first touch. He does, however, try too many tricks and won't be confused for a defensive stopper anytime soon. He was best utilized as a substitute last year, but he's going to be entrenched from day one as the starter this year (on either the left or the right).
First impressions: His creativity and fitness were on display against AC St. Louis. If Peter Vermes employs a surging attacking style (and all signs point toward that conclusion) Harrington will be a key figure on the wing.
Fun with the media guide: "Participated in KC Magazine's "Kansas City Bachelor of the Year" contest and was featured on the cover of the magazine's Dec. 2009 issue."*
*These are real quotes from the 2010 Media Guide.
Further reading:He fetched $600 in the Sexy Single's auction.Further watching:Beatbox master.Chance Myers(* projected starter)
· Number: 7
· Born: Dec. 7, 1987
· Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA
· Last Club: None
· Acquired: 1st round of 2008 MLS SuperDraft (#1 overall)
· Experience: 3rd MLS season
Most former No. 1 overall draft picks don't get the luxury of getting called a "sleeper." Chance does. His rookie season was lost halfway through when he came down with mononucleosis and he only made 6 appearances last year after having surgery to repair a deviated septum and a broken toe (which I believe were separate issues). A lot of people have forgotten about him.
First impressions: Without question, Myers was the most impressive player on the field in the Wizards preseason victory over AC St. Louis. He came on as a second-half sub to score a great nutmeg goal and assist on another. You heard it here first: Myers will be the Wizards secret weapon. His greatest asset will be his flexibility, as he can play as a wing-back or a midfielder. (He was in the midfield against ACSTL.)
Fun with the media guide: "Enjoys golfing, snowboarding, body boarding and watching movies." Thank God we've got all those mountains.
Further reading:Is apparently the official eye candy for the female Wizard fans.Jimmy Conrad (* projected starter)
· Number: 12
· Born: Feb. 12, 1977
· Hometown: Temple City, CA
· Last Club: San Jose Earthquakes
· Acquired: From S.J. for 2nd round pick in '03
· Experience: 12th MLS season
Jimmy didn't have the best of times last year, especially during the late summer swoon that befell the Wizards. I blame this partly on the nasty concussion he suffered during the Gold Cup. He didn't seem the same until at least October. And that was too late. If Jimmy returns to form in front of Nielsen, I feel a lot better about the defense. If he's lost a step (it's possible, he turned 33 this year), things might go south quickly.
First impressions: Didn't get a chance to see him play last week (he was in DC working out the MLS CBA deal), but the captain of the Wizards was one of the last two people off the field at Media Day this week, granting everyone time. He's probably the most affable athlete I've ever seen in person.
Fun with the media guide: "For additional Jimmy Conrad information, photos, merchandise and more, check out JimmyConrad.com."Further reading: Parts one and two of his vision for the future of the MLS.
Further watching:I want to go to there now.Matt Besler (* projected starter)
· Pronounced: BEEZ-ler
· Number: 5
· Born: Feb. 11, 1987
· Hometown: Overland Park, KS
· Last Club: None
· Acquired: 1st round pick in 2009 MLS SuperDraft (#8 overall)
· Experience: 2nd MLS season
To start his rookie season, he played at left back. When Vermes took over in August, Besler supplanted Aaron Hohlbein in the middle. This is where I think he'll play this year, right next to Conrad. He's also the only hometown player on the team.
First impressions: He's bulked up and seems to have been learning from Conrad quite a bit. Playing alongside newcomer Pablo Escobar last week, Besler was called on to not only mark the best AC St. Louis player (whoever that was) but to also organize the backline. He did well on both accounts.
Fun with the media guide: It's slightly ironic that the two key central defenders were born almost 10 years (to the day!) apart, right?
Further reading:His post-card from training camp this year.Korede Aiyegbusi
· Pronounced: ko-red-ee eye-eh-BOO-see
· Number: 3
· Born: July 15, 1988
· Hometown: London, United Kingdom
· Last Club: None
· Acquired: 2nd round pick in 2010 MLS SuperDraft (#20 overall)
· Experience: Rookie
Aiyegbusi maybe small (5'5" and 155 pounds) but he's got tremendous heart and energy. He's one of two draft picks from this year (Teal Bunbury the other) to make the roster.
First impressions: He played the first half of the last preseason game with only one shinguard! He is an all right tackler and might be skinned a few times by highly-skilled MLS wingers.
Fun with the media guide: "Nicknamed K." Makes everything easier.
Further reading:Apparently, they don't have baseball in England.Pablo Escobar
· Number: 6
· Born: Feb. 12, 1987
· Hometown: Valle Del Cuaca, Colombia
· Last Club: Deportivo Cali
· Acquired: Signed Jan. 21, 2010
· Experience: 6th Pro Season (1st MLS)
Escobar was one of three Colombians signed by the MLS this year, and the Wizards were able to sign him via discovery. He is not related to this Pablo Escobar.
First impressions: He will take a little longer to adjust than most people think, and won't start right away as some might expect. Not a knock on him personally, but he seemed a little adrift at times and the language barrier in the back (both with his English-speaking defensive partner and his Danish-speaking keeper) probably caused most of that.
Fun with the media guide: "Likes Chinese food, meat and chicken." I like him already.
Aaron Hohlbein
· Pronounced: HOLE-bine
· Number: 15
· Born: August 16, 1985
· Hometown: Middleton, WI
· Last Club: None
· Acquired: 2007 Supplemental Draft
· Experience: 4th MLS season
He developed a bit of a nose for the ball in 2009, and led all defenders in goals scored (he had 2, that was good for any position last year). He will likely be asked to take on a different role (quality depth player) than he did last year when he was the starter.
First impressions: He's easily a better third option than Marquess and McKenzie were last year. By far.
Fun with the media guide: "Loves dogs and enjoys watching ... Wheel of Fortune." That passes for a wild night in Wisconsin. (Joke.)
Jonathan Leathers
· Number: 25
· Born: Nov. 5, 1985
· Hometown: Athens, GA
· Last Club: None
· Acquired: 2nd round pick in 2008 MLS SuperDraft (#25)
· Experience: 3rd MLS season
Was the starting right back to close the season, but has likely been replaced by Harrington or Myers. He's a solid back-up defender in the MLS, but his slight stature (5'9" 160 lbs.) makes him too easy to push off the ball.
First impressions: He was played a few times during the pre-season as a center half. He's a hard-worker with good fitness and gives the team another solid depth player who can play a few positions on the backline.
Fun with the media guide: "He was on the Southern Conference's academic honor roll and was a member of the National Beta Club."

Overall feeling...

Surprisingly confident. A healthy Conrad, a stronger Besler, more attacking verve with Harrington/Myers (and possibly a surprise or two thrown in) and I think this is a stronger back four than people might think. It's a young (only one player is older than 26) and talented (three first-round picks) bunch. Of course, most of my excitement is pretty contingent on Conrad's fitness.
Coming tomorrow:Can you really have too many midfielders?.